Written as part of the weekly blogathon hosted by Wandering Through the Shelves.
Ah, romance is in the air this month for Thursday Movie Picks! This week, we're taking a look at the May/December romance: A relationship where there is a large age difference between partners, usually with one in their twilight years (hence the "December" part). Confession time: I spent the better part of the last decade in what some might describe as a May/December Romance - the gap between our ages was just over twenty years. He was still relatively young, though (it wasn't until towards the end of our relationship that he turned 50, so I wouldn't classify it as a May/December, although some might. That doesn't have an effect on my feelings towards May/December romances, though. Sometimes they're played for laughs, sometimes they're played straight, and I think that's true to how these types of relationships are in real life, too: Some are true love, and some are... well...
Gold Diggers of 1933 (Mervyn LeRoy, 1933) Yes, it's a trope nearly as old as the screen: younger girl falls (or "falls") for much older, much wealthier man. Now, I'm not saying Trixie Lorraine's a gold digger, but she sure as hell ain't messin' with no broke... OH WHO AM I KIDDING. They get married after ONE DATE. OF COURSE she's a gold digger! The plot of this pre-code musical doesn't really matter (a depression-era producer is trying to mount a show but doesn't have money, enter a secretly independently wealthy piano player whose family naturally comes to try and stop him), because it's all really an excuse to have some Busby Berkeley musical numbers. The most famous, justly, is "We're In The Money", the opening number sung by Ginger Rogers. I also love "The Shadow Waltz", which features some of the most ridiculous costumes ever created, just for ONE SHOT where the girls are shot from above to look like a flower. That Busby Berkeley. What a fucking genius.
Kill Bill (Quentin Tarantino, 2003/2004) The May/December Romance gone deadly. Beatrix (Uma Thurman) was very young when she first met the much-older Bill (David Carradine) and he took her under his wing, into his league of assassins, and somewhere along the way, into his bed. But after she became pregnant she decided she had to get out of the deadly assassin's life. To say Bill didn't take kindly to that is, well, putting it too kindly. Quentin Tarantino's fourth film was chopped in two for its release, and somewhere there supposedly is a cut that puts the whole thing together into one movie. I'd watch that in a heartbeat. Part One is an action-packed samurai extravaganza and Part Two is a bit quieter and more character-based. They balance each other out nicely (or at least, I imagine they do when put together). The saga of "The Bride" is probably Tarantino's best film, more than making up for its (relative) lack of ambition with stellar editing, cinematography, casting, and music (that trailer ALONE). And also pure awesomeness.
Twilight (Catherine Hardwicke, 2008) THAT'S RIGHT, BITCHES. Let's be clear: Edward Cullen may be in the body of a teenager, but in reality he is 104 years old. ONE HUNDRED AND FOUR. Sweet, mopey Bella is a teenager. That's one hell of an age difference. Twilight may be the wettest blanket of a romance ever put on screen, taking the soggy weather of the Northwest a bit too much to heart. Pity poor Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, who have proven since that they really CAN act, when they're given actual characters to play.
Thank you! Totally agree - it wasn't Kristen's fault that Bella was such a drip there wasn't anything anyone could do to give her much more of a personality.
Kill Bill! Yes! Awesome pick. Don't think I want to see it as one long film, though. The two parts are so different, with the second half being so much slower, I think it would make it feel like it was dragging.
I don't know... I feel like Part Two COULD provide some necessary breathing space from Part One. At any rate, I'd rather see the two parts together in a roadshow presentation than The Hateful Eight.
LOL omg I can't believe you went with Twilight..that's actually a very inspired choice though. I wouldn't have thought of something like that. Kill Bill is an awesome pick. Like Sati pointed out, I'm glad Kirsten Stewart is getting recognized for her acting more now. She's very good. I haven't seen Gold Diggers of 1933.
Thank you! I was having trouble thinking of "real" May/December stuff, then I realized that basically any vampire story pretty much fit the bill, so I decided to have some fun with it.
The dance sequences in Gold Diggers of 1933 are SO amazing that the story almost doesn't matter although Aline MacMahon is wonderful as Trixie. She was an eye opener for me, previous to seeing her in this I'd only seen her near the end of her career as the matronly white haired companion of Judy Garland in I Could Go On Singing a very different perspective. The two numbers you mentioned are awesome but so is Remember My Forgotten Man, it seems such a somber closing note for the film but is so extraordinary at the same time.
I'm not much of a Tarantino fan and while I've considered Kill Bill several times I've never gotten around to watching it. I've seen a few minutes of Twilight and just....no. All three fit the theme very well though.
As you pointed out sometimes these things are played for laughs and sometimes seriously, I tried to come up with a mix of both.
Murphy’s Romance (1985)-In her early thirties divorcee Emma (Sally Field) and her young son are new in town where she is trying to make a go of a horse farm. Middle aged druggist Murphy (James Garner) takes a shine to her and tries to send business her way while slowly romancing her. Things are progressing nicely until Emma’s irresponsible but charming ex-husband turns up and tries to win her back. Complications ensue. Amiable, ambling comedy netted Garner a best actor Oscar nomination.
Forty Carats (1973)-Fortyish Ann Stanley (Liv Ullman) has a brief fling with 20 something Peter Latham (Edward Albert) while on vacation in Greece. Returning to her New York home she runs into Peter again at a party and he wishes to pick up where they left off. Ann mindful of their age difference is leery. Peter however will not be put off. Somewhat stagy (it’s based on a play) but it’s nice to see Ullman loosen up and character actress Binnie Barnes is a hoot as her irrepressible Mom.
Autumn Leaves (1956)-Lonely 50ish spinster Millie (Joan Crawford) meets equally lonely 30ish Army vet Burt (Cliff Robertson). Despite her initial reluctance they marry after a whirlwind courtship. One day Burt’s ex-wife and father show up telling Millie Burt is mentally ill and their presence does seem to spark a great deal of agitation in him. Millie, sensing there is more than meets the eye, attempts to help Burt and get to the bottom of the situation. With the high priestess of 50’s anguish in the lead you just know that will include much melodrama but the film does try and provide some insights into mental health issues. The title song is sung over the credits by Nat King Cole.
Honorable mention-Leon: The Professional (1994)-When her entire family is murdered by an out of control DEA agent 12 year old Mathilda (Natalie Portman) is reluctantly taken in by professional assassin Leon (Jean Reno). Hunted and sworn to vengeance they form an intense connection during which he teaches her his trade. Not so much a May/December romance as a tale of extreme emotions under extraordinary circumstances. Both leads give wonderfully nuanced performances.
Kill Bill is either your thing or it isn't, and you know on which side you fall just by reading a synopsis. I LOVE it - the filmmaking is stellar and Uma Thurman gives probably her best performance. Twilight is the WORST. I was bored to tears after the first ten minutes or so - it never even got to a campy level. Just a snooze all around. I don't understand that fandom. At ALL.
I've not seen any of your main picks although I LOVE The Professional, mostly for Reno and Portman. I agree that it's not really a romance although they do get close. I have read the play of Forty Carats, though, and now I am DYING to see Liv Ullman in it (I somehow didn't realize there was a film version). Autumn Leaves looks good, too. Murphy's Romance, though... what the hell was with women on farms in the 80s?!?
Forty Carats is a nice little film but not really a lost treasure. It's interesting to see Liv try comedy as well as her odd couple pairing with Gene Kelly but her touch isn't as light as is really needed for the material to work. It seems the producers didn't necessarily recognize that touch was needed when you look at the other actresses considered...Elizabeth Taylor, Glenda Jackson, Joanne Woodward, Doris Day, Shirley MacLaine, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren. Audrey and Doris yes and maybe Shirley, and I could see Alexis Smith working very well, but light comedy was not those other women's forte.
It's most telling in Liv's scenes with Binnie Barnes, a facile comedienne who plays her scenes at just the right pitch. I forgot to mention that the cast also includes both Nancy Walker and Lovey Howell herself-Natalie Schafer!
Those women on a farm movies were their own little mini genre in the 80's. It's as if as those actresses were flying from New York to LA they looked down and realized people actually lived on those green splotches and thought hey why not make a couple dozen films about them!
Kill Bill is an awesome pick! Can't believe you went with Twilight. It destroyed Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson's careers. Whenever I say they can act, everyone links them to Twilight and they think I'm crazy.
Thanks! I went with Twilight mostly as a joke because that movie is TERRIBLE. But yeah, I always point people to The Runaways for Stewart, and Pattinson is really good in Cosmopolis.
I can't stop laughing - Twilight! What an awesome pick and hey - of course he's just a couple of years older than Bella ;) Kill Bill is a great pick as well.
Kill Bill is a genius pick here, man. Why didn't I think of that!!? Twilight is just gross. If I ever have to watch that again, it will most likely be at gunpoint. Ugh!! I suppose it works as a clever pick here, though. The other one sounds interesting. Might have to check it out.
Gold Diggers is a very fun old-school Hollywood musical. I can't even with Twilight, but I did think it fit this bill rather cleverly! As for why you didn't think of Kill Bill... I honestly have no clue. I would have expected you to be all over that shit lol!
I am shamed to say I have yet to see Gold Diggers of 1933. I love old movies especially musicals. I have not seen Kill Bill 1 or 2 yet either but one day I will. Twilight is a great choice because the kid is old. The movie is just such a teen flick. When I read your beginning, I thought of one of my dearest friends who is 50 and his partner is 25! He likes them young-the bad boy:)
Ah, love this theme! Very cool pick with Kill Bill!
ReplyDeleteI'm just so glad that people are finally appreciating Kristen - she didn't deserve all that backlash
Thank you! Totally agree - it wasn't Kristen's fault that Bella was such a drip there wasn't anything anyone could do to give her much more of a personality.
DeleteKill Bill! Yes! Awesome pick. Don't think I want to see it as one long film, though. The two parts are so different, with the second half being so much slower, I think it would make it feel like it was dragging.
ReplyDeleteNever watched The Gold Diggers of 1933.
Twilight...so terrible...sigh.
I don't know... I feel like Part Two COULD provide some necessary breathing space from Part One. At any rate, I'd rather see the two parts together in a roadshow presentation than The Hateful Eight.
DeleteTwilight is indeed truly terrible.
LOL omg I can't believe you went with Twilight..that's actually a very inspired choice though. I wouldn't have thought of something like that. Kill Bill is an awesome pick. Like Sati pointed out, I'm glad Kirsten Stewart is getting recognized for her acting more now. She's very good. I haven't seen Gold Diggers of 1933.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I was having trouble thinking of "real" May/December stuff, then I realized that basically any vampire story pretty much fit the bill, so I decided to have some fun with it.
DeleteLove these...they're so out of the box (especially Twilight and Kill Bill).
ReplyDeleteI hate that I haven't seen Gold Diggers. It sounds delicious.
Gold Diggers is lots of fun, in that hokey pre-code Busby Berkeley musical way.
DeleteThe dance sequences in Gold Diggers of 1933 are SO amazing that the story almost doesn't matter although Aline MacMahon is wonderful as Trixie. She was an eye opener for me, previous to seeing her in this I'd only seen her near the end of her career as the matronly white haired companion of Judy Garland in I Could Go On Singing a very different perspective. The two numbers you mentioned are awesome but so is Remember My Forgotten Man, it seems such a somber closing note for the film but is so extraordinary at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much of a Tarantino fan and while I've considered Kill Bill several times I've never gotten around to watching it. I've seen a few minutes of Twilight and just....no. All three fit the theme very well though.
As you pointed out sometimes these things are played for laughs and sometimes seriously, I tried to come up with a mix of both.
Murphy’s Romance (1985)-In her early thirties divorcee Emma (Sally Field) and her young son are new in town where she is trying to make a go of a horse farm. Middle aged druggist Murphy (James Garner) takes a shine to her and tries to send business her way while slowly romancing her. Things are progressing nicely until Emma’s irresponsible but charming ex-husband turns up and tries to win her back. Complications ensue. Amiable, ambling comedy netted Garner a best actor Oscar nomination.
Forty Carats (1973)-Fortyish Ann Stanley (Liv Ullman) has a brief fling with 20 something Peter Latham (Edward Albert) while on vacation in Greece. Returning to her New York home she runs into Peter again at a party and he wishes to pick up where they left off. Ann mindful of their age difference is leery. Peter however will not be put off. Somewhat stagy (it’s based on a play) but it’s nice to see Ullman loosen up and character actress Binnie Barnes is a hoot as her irrepressible Mom.
Autumn Leaves (1956)-Lonely 50ish spinster Millie (Joan Crawford) meets equally lonely 30ish Army vet Burt (Cliff Robertson). Despite her initial reluctance they marry after a whirlwind courtship. One day Burt’s ex-wife and father show up telling Millie Burt is mentally ill and their presence does seem to spark a great deal of agitation in him. Millie, sensing there is more than meets the eye, attempts to help Burt and get to the bottom of the situation. With the high priestess of 50’s anguish in the lead you just know that will include much melodrama but the film does try and provide some insights into mental health issues. The title song is sung over the credits by Nat King Cole.
Honorable mention-Leon: The Professional (1994)-When her entire family is murdered by an out of control DEA agent 12 year old Mathilda (Natalie Portman) is reluctantly taken in by professional assassin Leon (Jean Reno). Hunted and sworn to vengeance they form an intense connection during which he teaches her his trade. Not so much a May/December romance as a tale of extreme emotions under extraordinary circumstances. Both leads give wonderfully nuanced performances.
Kill Bill is either your thing or it isn't, and you know on which side you fall just by reading a synopsis. I LOVE it - the filmmaking is stellar and Uma Thurman gives probably her best performance. Twilight is the WORST. I was bored to tears after the first ten minutes or so - it never even got to a campy level. Just a snooze all around. I don't understand that fandom. At ALL.
DeleteI've not seen any of your main picks although I LOVE The Professional, mostly for Reno and Portman. I agree that it's not really a romance although they do get close. I have read the play of Forty Carats, though, and now I am DYING to see Liv Ullman in it (I somehow didn't realize there was a film version). Autumn Leaves looks good, too. Murphy's Romance, though... what the hell was with women on farms in the 80s?!?
Forty Carats is a nice little film but not really a lost treasure. It's interesting to see Liv try comedy as well as her odd couple pairing with Gene Kelly but her touch isn't as light as is really needed for the material to work. It seems the producers didn't necessarily recognize that touch was needed when you look at the other actresses considered...Elizabeth Taylor, Glenda Jackson, Joanne Woodward, Doris Day, Shirley MacLaine, Audrey Hepburn and Sophia Loren. Audrey and Doris yes and maybe Shirley, and I could see Alexis Smith working very well, but light comedy was not those other women's forte.
DeleteIt's most telling in Liv's scenes with Binnie Barnes, a facile comedienne who plays her scenes at just the right pitch. I forgot to mention that the cast also includes both Nancy Walker and Lovey Howell herself-Natalie Schafer!
Those women on a farm movies were their own little mini genre in the 80's. It's as if as those actresses were flying from New York to LA they looked down and realized people actually lived on those green splotches and thought hey why not make a couple dozen films about them!
Kill Bill is an awesome pick! Can't believe you went with Twilight. It destroyed Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson's careers. Whenever I say they can act, everyone links them to Twilight and they think I'm crazy.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I went with Twilight mostly as a joke because that movie is TERRIBLE. But yeah, I always point people to The Runaways for Stewart, and Pattinson is really good in Cosmopolis.
DeleteI can't stop laughing - Twilight! What an awesome pick and hey - of course he's just a couple of years older than Bella ;)
ReplyDeleteKill Bill is a great pick as well.
hehe just a couple....
DeleteThanks for stopping by and thanks for the comment!
Kill Bill is a genius pick here, man. Why didn't I think of that!!? Twilight is just gross. If I ever have to watch that again, it will most likely be at gunpoint. Ugh!! I suppose it works as a clever pick here, though. The other one sounds interesting. Might have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteGold Diggers is a very fun old-school Hollywood musical. I can't even with Twilight, but I did think it fit this bill rather cleverly! As for why you didn't think of Kill Bill... I honestly have no clue. I would have expected you to be all over that shit lol!
DeleteI am shamed to say I have yet to see Gold Diggers of 1933. I love old movies especially musicals. I have not seen Kill Bill 1 or 2 yet either but one day I will. Twilight is a great choice because the kid is old. The movie is just such a teen flick. When I read your beginning, I thought of one of my dearest friends who is 50 and his partner is 25! He likes them young-the bad boy:)
ReplyDeleteGold Diggers is very fun. Not one of the greats or anything, but very enjoyable. Twilight is terrible. Just terrible.
DeleteI love that you went with Twilight, an inspired choice for this theme! I still haven't seen Kill Bill, must remedy that soon.
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you! Kill Bill (especially Vol. 1) is SO great. Definitely see it soon!
Delete